How to Prepare for your Upcoming Photo Session
Did you recently book a photo shoot with a photographer? Great! Now what?
Here’s what to wear for your photo session, and I also share a few valuable tips too.
After your first photo session is booked, you can go shopping. Yay! No, you don’t need to pull out your laptop or put actual shoes on.
You can go shopping in your closet!
Clothing: What to Wear
First things first. Look for comfort in your clothing. No, I’m not talking about the grungy pair of shorts you painted the house in. I’m talking about clothing you feel comfortable in and want to be photographed in. If you love jeans and band T-shirts, wear them. Are fluffy dresses more your thing? Wear one. Or maybe this is a maternity shoot and you have a beautiful bathrobe that feels luxurious. Wear it.
Do you have a fancy dress that you don’t wear anymore? Or only wore one time, a few years ago? Pull that sucker out of the back of the closet. Maybe it shrank and no longer fits, that’s okay too. Take it with you to your photo session.
Wear your fur coat
Perhaps you have a fancy faux fur coat. But, never have anywhere to wear it to? Maybe your mom has a fur coat that you’ve always loved as a child. Take it. You might use it; you might not.
If jeans are more your jam, grab a pair that fits your vibe. If they are a little snug and haven’t been worn in months, that’s okay. If your jeans have cool stitching or pocket details, the photographer can take a photo of you while focusing on that.
A portrait session is all about YOU. What you love to wear. What you wish you could wear. Your photos should scream YOU and your personality. Dress for you. Dress for yourself.
Now, that being said, you can totally go out and buy something new if you want. But, honestly, use what you have in your closet. Or your friend’s closet.
Let’s talk props!
Props add a little extra something to your story. Photos are all about telling a story.
Shoes. Do you love shoes? Take the fancy pair of heels with rhinestones that you only wore for (insert special occasion). Or, your favorite pair of Docs that are worn and you wear every day. Maybe you hate shoes altogether and prefer to be barefoot. Be sure to tell your photographer you’re anti-shoes. Shoes or no shoes will add personality and interest to your photos.
Hats. Sometimes, a huge hat can make for a silly photo. Remember that sombrero you got in Mexico? A vintage hat from an antique store can be exciting, you know, the one with netting on it. Do you have Grandpa’s old baseball cap he wore all the time? Take that with you if want.
Jewelry can add elegance and a little sparkle. A long strand of pearls for a boudoir session. Do you have big bright-colored earrings that you’d love to incorporate? Bring them.
1920s inspired photo session
If you want to give your photo session some old-timey vibes, take a pipe or faux cigarette for fun. Heck, pair it with a vintage-looking bottle too. Don’t forget the suspenders and 1920’s fedora.
Graduation calls for a cap and gown of course. If you have a sash or ribbons, take them to your session. Pair the look with fun sunglasses and a rolled-up diploma.
To all the gamers out there, you have all the props. Take a game controller, headset, and the whole console. Ha! That would make a fun photo. *Read below: Setting a Scene.
Bring the sword with you
Comic-Con fan? Take your cloak, wire elf ears, or sword to your photo session. If you’re getting photographed by me, you’ll want to bring your whole costume and any other costumes you have!
Setting a Scene
Some photographers enjoy setting up an entire scene, indoors or outside. This is my favorite thing to do. As a photographer, this sets the scene for your photo session. It can be as simple as a small stool in a flower field or as intricate as a backdrop with a side table, birdcage, and pictures hanging.
Setting a scene
If you’re a gamer, it could be fun to create a faux living room. Think of a bean bag chair, TV screen, game console, bowl of popcorn, and you outside in the woods. Bring the props to help your photographer set a scene for you.
Not every photographer likes to do that type of photography, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Bonus Tips
Iron your clothes. Please, please iron your clothing or steam everything beforehand. Wrinkles are next to impossible to edit out of photos. Hang them on a hanger and the hook in your car for safe traveling to your location.
Clean hair. Wash, dry, and style your hair. Bring hairspray. Your photographer should have a can with him/her. But, bring your own just in case. Flyaways are not fun to edit out.
Clean nails. Remove all of your nail polish if it’s chipped. Or, apply a fresh coat in your favorite color. Eyes and hands are what viewers look at in photos, so make sure your hands and nails are clean. Apply some lotion before your session as well. It makes your hands look extra nice.
Bring a friend. If you’re nervous about your upcoming photo session, bring a friend. Sometimes, it helps to bring a hype friend if you’re feeling nervous about getting photos taken. The friend will most likely be put to work, so let them know in advance.
Eat. Make sure you are well-fed before your photoshoot. This might sound silly, but “hanger” is a real thing. Many people want to go out to eat after a photo session, but be sure to eat a little something beforehand. *Especially if you’re doing family photos or a child is getting photographed.
There are more tips I send to my clients after they book me, but these are my 5 top tips.
Take Aways
In the end, just dress comfortably. You want to wear clothing that you feel good in and enjoy wearing. Bring extra outfits and items with you, just in case. Keep the weather in mind. Will it be hot or rainy?
Gather your props and toss them in a bag to take with you.
Bring a smile and just have fun! Your photographer will pose you and guide you on what to do, so don’t worry about that part
.
A portrait photo session is all about you. You’ll have these photos for decades, and it’ll be fun to look back on them. You’ll remember the experience you had. You will laugh, you might cry. But, most of all, you’ll have photos of yourself to remember.
Do I sound like the kind of photographer you want to work with? Let’s create something whimsical and fun together.
Your friendly neighborhood photographer,
Annette
